As a keynote to this discussion of Uranus, we offer the following definition of spiritual liberation: those points in evolution when the Ego, having completely and perfectly fulfilled the requirements of Saturn — relationships, responsibilities, works, utilizations — automatically begins to function on progressively more impersonal phases of experience.

   The vibration of Uranus provides this process of "progress after fulfillment." He is the disintegrator of forms, the antidote to crystallization, the opener of doors. Because of the intensely dynamic functions that he represents on the emotional plane, Uranus symbolizes the alchemist, the magician, and the creative artist. He represents the astrologer, whose impersonal wisdom is the distilled result of alchemical processes made during the course of wide and varied experiences in love and relationship.

   Of all abstract terms, the word "transcendent" most concisely describes the nature of Uranus. He transcends blood-relationship because he himself is the fusion of the fires of polarity which create relationship in human experience (the ultimate of the emotional triad). He transcends materiality because his realm is that of the Soul — the "Inner" — and, as such, is beyond and above those illusions of reality which are so often ascribed to the material phases of life. He transcends possessiveness of things and people in any form, for his vibration makes possible that type of consciousness which recognizes soul power as the only real possession. The flowering of his vibration represents the transcendence of fear because Love-Wisdom, the result of experience, abolishes fear.

   Aside from the synthesis of sign-position, house-position, house-rulership, and aspects of Uranus in a given chart, there is another — and very important — study of his vibration to be made: in relationship or contrast to the influences and powers of Saturn. The two planets, by nature and purpose, are antipathetic. Saturn, afflicting, crystallizes, condenses, limits, and frustrates the possibilities of other planets. The position of Saturn indicates the path toward inertia. Uranus, however, provides release as the logical and natural progress following fulfillments, but when stagnation threatens, he forces open the paths which have become congested and his electrifying power creates a charge of renewing life. It is in his afflicting effect on other planets that he seems to act as a "smasher-up," a destroyer-by-violence, a disrupter and a disorganizer. The person who does not, or will not, keep in line with progressive measures of living must, by the laws of progressive evolution, be forced to do so.

   With this thought in mind, the astro-analyst will realize that Uranus does not afflict any planet in a chart unless there is a karmic tendency toward crystallization to be counteracted. Uranus does not "shake us up" unless we need to be shaken loose from our inclination to "cling to form" in some part of our experience. Therefore, to interpret the function of Uranus, and get the complete picture of his significance in a chart, we must compare his patterns with those of Saturn.

   The perfect example of this conflict is seen in the aspect of Uranus squared by Saturn, a pattern symbolizing the old versus the new, bondage versus transcendence, fear versus liberation, the instinct for safety versus the urge for adventure, creed and race versus universality, the tribe versus the individual, and orthodoxy versus realization.

   The following are a few "pointers" — suggestions for reading this aspect in different combinations:

   1. Both planets otherwise unaspected: In this case, the two planets must be compared from the standpoint of comparative "strengths" — dignity, exaltation, elevation, angles, and planetary dispositorship. Further, either planet gains in power to the degree that the sex-polarities (masculine: Sun and Mars; feminine: Moon and Venus) and the solar-lunar polarity are dynamic (Uranus) or passive (Saturn). This must be found by careful synthesis of sign-quality and aspect-quality. Either Saturn or Uranus will be found to be the more influential and must be taken as the "key" to the square aspect, and will be regarded as an "evolutionary barometer" of this incarnation. The person concerned either clings to the form side of life and resists change, or he rebels against forms in his search for broader experience and wider realizations.

   2. Saturn otherwise well-aspected: The consciousness is well integrated in the form side of life. Saturnian virtues; patience, practicality, utility, etc., have been developed in the past and the urge to security is strongly developed. Uranus is here seen as a threat to the orderly, accustomed processes of living, a disturber of the peace, a "defier of morality," impractical, disreputable, and unreliable. This is how a Saturn person feels about Uranus people — they just don't fit into his neat, tangible, "two-times-two-equals-four" universe. In fact, a Uranus person sometimes feels that two-times-two doesn't make much of anything that's really interesting

   3. Uranus otherwise well-aspected: This is a person who has "lived and loved much." Inner freedom is his range of understanding, independence of mind and action. The square from Saturn shows that in this incarnation he must fulfill a certain area of responsibility. In one respect, at least, he has been "foot-loose" too long. He has abilities — he must use them; he has knowledge — he must make it available to others; he has relationship-responsibilities — he must learn to fulfill them willingly and lovingly. Until he does so, Saturn will hold him in ever-tightening bondage.

   The persons represented by Saturn in the Uranian's chart will seem, to him, to be "trampers of his style," "millstones around his neck," and, in general, burdens and crucifixions. And they will continue to seem so until he realizes that they serve to give form to his dynamic urges, to keep him united to the stream of constructive living, to give purpose and direction to his abilities.

   (Incidentally, the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ Jesus symbolize, perfectly, this "conflict" of Saturn and Uranus. Saturn symbolizes the crystallization of fear and ignorance possessed by the "world" that sought to kill the Teacher and destroy His influence; Uranus symbolizes the Divine Purpose of liberation which must, and inevitably will, release the consciousness of man from stagnant concepts and slavish ignorance.)

   4. Both planets variable: this pattern is best approached, after synthesizing, from an astro-dynamic standpoint. Either planet may have been emphasized the more strongly during the years of growth and maturity. The counteractive agencies to the afflicting aspects will show as possible neutralizations for the unregenerate qualities of both planets. The sextiles to each are particularly important, since they show avenues of potential alchemical developments.

   Uranus is electric, magnetic, and the most dynamic of all the planets. His "conditions," for this reason, must never be interpreted as superficialities. His conjunction with any planet intensifies the quality of experience represented by the planet, and a quality of "extremeness" is shown in that part of the life.

   The position of Uranus in the chart shows the source of potential genius; the benefic aspects, the opportunities for developing that potential, and the culmination of those developments. The malefic aspects indicate primarily the need for control and direction, for Uranus, by nature, is all "out-going," and his urges, if uncontrolled, can result in wastage on all planes.

   Interpret Uranus' conditions from a "largeness" standpoint. His sorrows are soul agonies; his punishments are catastrophic; his loves have nothing to do with man-made ceremonies and regulations. They are volcanics of the heart, the power of which can disrupt any set emotional pattern and hurl the lover into an entirely new universe. Uranus represents the intense fusion of emotional polarity which we call "creative power," and under the stimulus of his electrification, new forms of art, philosophy, fields of research, etc., are projected into human affairs. Continents are discovered, concepts of time and space are revised and elaborated, and man, himself a dynamic unit, finds ever-new worlds within himself.

   Uranus stands for our response to that which is new to us. He is "the way we walk to the opening door," our ability to see farther, deeper, higher, lower — and to welcome any form of change (newness) which comes into our lives. That which was ten years ago called radical, extreme, and "brand new" has by now been poured into the mold of experience and is commonplace. That which is really new is that which we recognize as an unfoldment of areas of consciousness which have never before been tapped.

   Since liberation (progress) is a life principle, and no respecter of sex, Uranus shows in the charts of both men and women as the urge to freedom. His position shows in which department of experience the person must have "elbowroom;" where "limitlessness of self-expression" is sought and obtained. It also shows, since it is the potential of genius, how the person seeks to assist others in their search for liberation.

   In line with the above statement, trines to Uranus can indicate channels of precocity in children. It is evident that many children are, in their very early years, clearly aware of some knowledge or talent which was brought to a high peak of development in the past. These youngsters don't even have to wait until physical or chronological maturity takes place — they just abolish time and give vent to these amazing abilities while still in knee pants and pigtails! Trines to Uranus, regardless of the evolutionary status of the person, indicate that he is in advance of his time and place and background.

   Squares and oppositions to Uranus from other planets show to what degree his energies need controlling and directing. Conversely, the squares and oppositions that he makes to other planets show how his vibration can throw the other planets off center, make them express in confused and chaotic ways. Whenever Uranus and Sun, Mars, or Jupiter (the dynamic planets) are in discordant relationship, then check carefully to find the degree in which Saturn holds a controlling influence in the chart. Saturn, in this case, can form the patterns for fulfillment into which the dynamic energies must be poured.

   The astrological student or astro-analyst tunes in with the vibration of Uranus every time he, or she, studies a horoscope. That study must be used, and the Uranian vibration directed for the purpose of helping a fellow being to understand his life-patterns more clearly and impersonally. In this way, astrology is used as a channel of liberation and, as such, stands as one of the highest expressions of this mighty and spiritual vibration.